Today marks the centenary of one of the most important days in British history - the granting of women’s suffrage.

One hundred years ago today women aged over 30 were given the right to vote, paving the way for full equal voting rights.

It was the culmination of a long and difficult fight led by the Suffragettes - women who changed society by campaigning for rights for women, with the right to vote among their most significant demands.

They interrupted political meetings, chained themselves to railings, yelled while waving banners emblazoned with ‘VOTES FOR WOMEN’, were regularly arrested, went on hunger strike, cut phone lines and one, Emily Davidson, even threw herself under a horse to get the suffragette message heard.

But the Suffragettes’ fight paid off. In 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed, giving women over the age of 30, and who owned a certain amount of property, the right to vote.

It would be a further 10 years until the vote was extended to all women, when the Equal Franchise Act was passed, but it was a major step in the right direction.

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Today marks the centenary of one of the most important days in British history - the granting of women’s suffrage

To commemorate the 100-year anniversary of women’s suffrage in Britain, Amnesty and the The Gazette are calling upon readers to nominate the incredible women who are working to make a real difference in Teesside today.

They might have stood up to bullies, helped the homeless, aided refugees or campaigned for better access to healthcare. They could have challenged bad business practices, worked to protect the environment, prevented forced evictions, and much more.

Every time these women have spoken up, set up a petition, sent a letter to their MP, set up a local campaigning group or marched for rights, they’ve taken steps towards making life better for others.

The amazing achievements of these often-unsung heroes deserve to be celebrated, and Amnesty wants to feature them on its Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain.

Suffragette Spirit

What is the Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain?

The interactive map, which will launch on International Women’s day on March 8, will be a symbol of the suffragettes’ legacy – proudly displaying how far we have come over the past century, but also highlighting how much life-changing work is still being carried out today in every corner of the country.

How do you decide who gets on the map?

All nominations will go through a due diligence and consent process before being included on the map. Amnesty reserves the right to remove anyone from the map who is not deemed appropriate.

How to nominate

To nominate an amazing woman in your local area, click here . All women must have carried out work to help others their local area within the last 10 years. All successful nominees will be contacted to give consent prior to being placed on the Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain. This campaign has been funded by People’s Postcode Lottery.

Who is a human rights defender?

A person who, individually or in association with others acts to defend, promote and protect human rights at local, national, regional or international levels.